Justin Trudeau - Youth and the Environment

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend two events on Thursday where Justin Trudeau was speaking. At the first he talked about young people, and the need to inspire and provide opportunities for young people to become engaged and to make a difference. Justin talked specifically about his experience with Katimavic ( see the Katimavic web site -
http://www.katimavik.org/section/index/id/1 )

Katimavic is Canada's youth volunteer service program. Young people have a change to voluneteer and to participate together with other youth from across Canada in volunteer activities helping in several Canadian communities - and expriencing and sharing in learning about our wonderful country. There are only about 950 spots each year - and yet there are many more (up to 12,000 a year) who want to participate. The effort needs to be better supported.

Justin talked particularly about the need to provide opportunities to youth who feel marginalized. This is essential if we are to give such young people opportunities and if we are to build a society where fewer young people feel so marginalized they engage in gang and criminal activities.

At the second event, a Liberal Party function, Justin talked about the environment. He emphasized that the environment is the most important issue for today - indeed he put it more strongly - it is the only issue. If we do not take care of the environment and consider the environment, our future is bleak. It is vital to our health and to our economy. For economic activities which are bad for the environment will not be around for long.

Trudeau is now working on his Master's Degree in Environmental Science - and getting ready to do work on his thesis. Thank you Justin for coming to Manitoba - and good luck with your thesis.
In the top photo, Justin Trudeau receives engraved paddles from Senator Rod Zimmer and Ken Wong as a token of thanks. In the bottom photo, Justin Trudeau with Georgina Sabesky: there is no doubt Justin is a charmer.